Can a non-Muslim hero be honoured in Pakistan?

The recent backlash that was witnessed against the Dilkash Lahore Committee’s proposal to rename Fawara Chowk in Shadman after Bhagat Singh, the pre-Independence Indian freedom fighter, is a case in point. PHOTO: ONLINE

That Pakistan is afflicted with the evils of bigotry and prejudice is no secret. But however much one gets accustomed — sadly, even immune — to this state of affairs, one is still left aghast at the extremely narrow worldview held by certain quarters.

The recent backlash that was witnessed against the Dilkash Lahore Committee’s proposal — later thankfully approved by the city’s district coordination officer — to rename Fawara Chowk in Shadman after Bhagat Singh, the pre-Independence Indian freedom fighter, is a case in point.

Now, one could have disagreed with this proposal on various grounds.

One may argue that however noble Singh’s goals may have been and however courageous his stance against British imperialism was, the use of violence to achieve one’s objectives is misguided.

Another argument offered is that Singh was essentially an Indian hero, not a Pakistani one, and that there are many who have served Pakistan diligently over the years and are perhaps, more deserving of such an honour.

One could have agreed or disagreed with such arguments and with this proposal. But my real beef is with the grounds over which this move was initially opposed by some quarters. The argument presented was that as Pakistan is a Muslim country, its major landmarks should be named after Muslims only!

This is what I find highly abhorrent.

This line of thinking that views our non-Muslim compatriots as second-class citizens has fast gained currency and there seems to be no voice raised and action taken, either at an official or societal level, to arrest this worldview.

Pakistan has been well-served by many of its non-Muslim citizens who have risked, in fact, even sacrificed their lives for the country, be it Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry or Wing Commander Mervyn Middlecoat who was martyred in the 1971 war. Then there are also distinguished citizens like Justice A R Cornelius, Justice Rana Bhagwandas, Justice Dorab Patel, Ardeshir Cowasjee, Julius Salik and Bapsi Sidhwa, who have served Pakistan in various capacities without asking for any recognition in return. One wonders if there will ever come a time when Pakistanis of all hues will open-heartedly acknowledge and appropriately reward the services of our non-Muslim compatriots, and when the act of acknowledging them will not be followed by the kind of repugnant campaign that was recently witnessed.

More by this writer

Of course, if we are running out of our heroes! Keep projecting one sided “Aman ki Asha”!!Recommend

Awan

Well actually in Punjab i have seen people think they are Islamic Thekeedaars. Ironically if you want to search for Beer or Wine or any Vulgarity then it is easily available in Punjab and if you want to hear new types of abuses then you can hear in cities with ease but when it comes the time to tell the truth then these people got problems. The situation is much different in villages where People do identify first with Punjabi identity and then with Pakistani identity but a lost generation of Cities and Worshippers of Urdu language and builders of fake Muslim identity have nothing good to do other than shunning their own History and culture from where they actually belong to and to make a fake profile that does not even exist.Recommend

Sabih Zafar Ullah

There are many great unsung LOCAL heroes… Raja Dahir one of them, we should name something after the great defender of our lands.Recommend

wonderer

The Friends of Bhagat Singh Society in India is opposed to any memorial for the Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh in any Muslim country. The Pakistani authorities are requested to respect these sentiments, and desist from the contemplated action for the sake of mutual friendship.Recommend

@Rana: “Of course, if we are running out of our heroes! Keep projecting one sided “Aman ki Asha”!!”

In this definition you are equating Hindu with India. But what about Hindu heroes that may have lived in present day Pakistan?

We consider Akbar an Indian hero and have not disowned our Islamic heritage.

Ofcourse if Pakistan chooses to do so, it can disown its Hindu and Buddhist heritage but if you think that in doing so you are diminishing India – that is far from the case, you ae dminishing your own heritage. You can do that if you want, it does not make a difference to us. Even if you honour your own Hindu heroes, you will not be doing India a favour.

Education will change everything,as hassan nisar said take away the land from the feudel and take the mosque away from the maulvi and thing will get betterRecommend

Tinker Bell

@wonderer: Who are you so called friend???. Just read the readings of Bhagat Singh and then comment. His love of Punjab was above any other thing and in his writing he even wrote that he no longer follow any religion because it creates wars. Bhagat Singh was hated by Hindus and Gandhi played a major roles in hanging of Bhagat Singh and just study Black Flag Day and Down With Gandhi movement when Gandhi called Bhagat Singh a Terrorist. So dont tell us fake history and Hindus can never own a guy which their leaders were up against him. The identity of Sikh is never been synonymous with Hinduism and Sikhs believe in only One God and Sikhs never hated anyone and Bhagat Singh was born in a Sikh Family and Sikh roots dont allow anyone to hate anyone. Recommend

Nitish

@Zalim singh:And you forgot to name the great ghazi Ahmed shah abdali. Recommend

Don’t be crazy! Stop smoking what you have been smoking. Heros are ALWAYS Muslims.Recommend

wonderer

@Tinker Bell:

Most respectfully Sir, I am a friend of Bhagat Singh; not a “so called friend”. Remember this.

I am not impressed with your knowledge of Indian history. And, your knowledge about Hindus, Sikhs and Gandhi are equally unimpressive. I knew that the history taught in Pakistan is badly mutilated, but the extent to which this has been done, I learn now from your kind comment.

Now, let me explain why your hostility is uncalled for. There is no doubt that Pakistan has some admirers of Bhagat Singh, but those who are hostile towards him are probably in much larger numbers. The friends of Bhagat Singh are worried about that fringe elements, also called “non-state actors” by the Government of Pakistan, who may decide to humiliate Bhagat Singh’s memory at some time in future just because he was not a Muslim, and thus a Kafir. It would be quite in the realm of possibility if some lunatic does such a thing just to demonstrate his hatred for “Hindu India”. The fear of such a possibility get enhanced immensely when we see the desecration/destruction of the Mazars of revered Sufi saints of the “land-of-the-pure”.

Making a memorial also entails its protection. Considering what is going on in Lahore and Karachi on a daily basis, the law enforcement authorities of Pakistan will not be able to handle the extra responsibility.

If you must rename the Fawara Chowk in Shadman it would be more advisable to name it after any one of Bulleh Shah, Baba Farid or Waris Shah.

I appreciate brilliance of your thoughts, but the matter of the fact is that we don’t consider Akbar e Azam as our hero at all. Moreover, Akbar was an Emperor having religious believing of his own type, not particularly representing any religion. His thoughts were more of an atheist!Recommend

BlackJack

@Tinker Bell:
My friend, it is you who needs to do more research. Here is what Mahatma Gandhi said of Bhagat Singh in Young India, 29 Mar 1931 issue:
“Bhagat Singh and his two associates have been hanged. The Congress made many attempts to save their lives and the Government entertained many hopes of it, but all has been in a vain.
Bhagat Singh did not wish to live. He refused to apologize, or even file an appeal. Bhagat Singh was not a devotee of non-violence, but he did not subscribe to the religion of violence. He took to violence due to helplessness and to defend his homeland. In his last letter, Bhagat Singh wrote, ” I have been arrested while waging a war. For me there can be no gallows. Put me into the mouth of a cannon and blow me off.” These heroes had conquered the fear of death. Let us bow to them a thousand times for their heroism.
But we should not imitate their act. In our land of millions of destitute and crippled people, if we take to the practice of seeking justice through murder, there will be a terrifying situation. Our poor people will become victims of our atrocities. By making a dharma of violence, we shall be reaping the fruit of our own actions.
Hence, though we praise the courage of these brave men, we should never countenance their activities. Our dharma is to swallow our anger, abide by the discipline of non-violence and carry out our duty.”Recommend

Tinker Bell

@BlackJack: So you copied it from Wiki but Gandhi was a master in this case and before the Death of Bhagat Singh he called him a Terrorist because Gandhi stated that Bhagat Singh is an Anarchist and does not conform to non Violence but when he was Dead Gandhi tried to play a Master stroke by Sympathizing with the crowd.

@wonderer: Well I am not a Pakistani and not a Muslim so your comment is irrelevant that i learnt from Pakistan then. Secondly You did not answered that why Black Flag Day and Down With Gandhi movement were started. Where led to the Down with Gandhi movement in Punjab and North India??. When Bhagat was about to be Hanged where was Gandhi. ? The lovers of Bhagat Singh cannot be lover of Gandhi who undermined his efforts at every level. Recommend

Maher

Can a non-Muslim hero be honoured in Pakistan? And the answer is NO… My dear it is so called ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN and in this so called Muslim country heir is no place of Non muslim heroRecommend

BlackJack

@Tinker Bell:
Yes, I copied the quote from Wikipedia, but have specified the original source. feel free to check the actual publication and prove me wrong. Bhagat Singh was an anarchist and he was proud to be one – Mahatma Gandhi did not support his methods (before or after his hanging), but acknowledged and respected his heroism; I am sure that at least in this instance, most Indians would concur. Incidentally, you may notice that both the other revolutionaries who were hanged with Bhagat Singh were Hindus, and I do not see any difference in the way they were viewed or supported by the Congress. I can see that your mind is clouded by hatred for Hindus and you seem to think that Gandhi is an appropriate target to direct your ire; my sympathies are with you. Bhagat Singh is an Indian hero who laid down his life for a cause that was greater than Punjab or Kanpur or some part of erstwhile India; he may have been dismayed to note the crudity with which his memory is being recalled to make personal attacks on his contemporaries.Recommend

wonderer

@Tinker Bell:

You Sir, are obviously a person incapable of appreciating another’s point of view, and because of that I refuse to get into an argument with you.

I am opposed to naming of any Chowk in Pakistan, or any Muslim country, after Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh. I have given detailed reasons for my stand but you disregard them completely. It does not matter whether you agree with me or not.

The history lessons that you insist on giving are not relevant to the matter under question. I refuse to learn history from you.

all ppl that you have mentioned are PAKISTANIS for me, so i treat them the way i treat other Pakistani Heroes.Recommend

huss

we may score some good points with the indians because of this (practical thinking)Recommend

Sadly

Pakistan wasn’t made for Muslim. It was made for Pakistanis, whether Muslim or Non Muslim.Recommend

Student of Peace

Agree with Amna……by the way, the term “Shaheed” was introduced by the holy Quran and the concept of “Shahadat” is part of the Islamic faith……followers of other faiths may be called “martyrs” or “heroes” or by any other similar term, but I don’t think they can be called Shaheeds in the true sense of the term. Much that I admire Bhagat Singh ji, however, the title “Shaheed-e-Azam” is a bit hard to swallow.Recommend

Afzaal Khan

@wonderer

Kindly stop using word shaheed which is derived from Arabic word and Islamic terminology if you are so worried abt indian heritage and muslim fundamentalist.

Regarding the naming, there are better pakistanis who deserve recognition then some guy who most of pakistan doesn’t even care about. How about Raja Sahib Mehmoodabad chowk?Recommend

wonderer

@Afzaal Khan:

Islam has no ownership rights or a patent for the word Shaheed. Sikhs have used the word for centuries. Many North Indian languages use some persian and arabic words.

Give any name you like, but please spare Shaeed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh. “Raja Sahib Mehmoodabad chowk” is as good as any one can think of. Go with it.Recommend

wonderer

@Student of Peace:

Please do not swallow if you find it difficult. I reserve my right to call him Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh.Recommend

Muhammad Akram

Neither Pakistani ruling class nor Pakistani people at large are sensible enough to come out of their blind world and recognize others first as a human fellow.Recommend

Student of Peace

@wonderer
Sir, “Shaheed” is one of the 99 names of Allah, hence its origin is in Islam, which cannot be denied. It is good to see other faiths adopting one of the names of Allah to honour their heroes.Recommend

True Indian

@Afzaal Khan:
u guys then stop using the word ‘Ma’ coz its derived from sanskrit…which is definitely not [email protected]#$%*&NI….Recommend

wise counsel

@wonderer:
and who do you think you are sitting in judgement.What about the sentiments of those who valued his contribution and who fought alongside and who struggled alongside him.Dont they matter.?Such a high and mighty attitude and arrogance of “i know it all” and “i call the shots” is what brings the downfall of many an individual.Beware.Any other muslim country indeed!!!!!What conceit!Recommend

Shaheed Bhagat Singh is an epitome of sacrifice, courage, love for the motherland. To those narrow minded bigoted religious brains existing in any part of the world (not just in Pakistan), here is another information : Bhagat Singh declared himself to be a consummate ATHEIST. He was not sikh, hindu, muslim. He didn’t need holy books, holy men and imaginary pillars of religion to support his existence. He certainly does not belong to those who don’t use their own minds. In 1920, a Tamil poet Subramania Bharti wrote to honor Bhagat Singh by calling him “Bhagat Singh, OUR Bhagat Singh!”…yes, OUR Bhagat Singh, who stood up to fight while others were petitioning the looting British, who refused to bow for the sake of titles and positions…Shahid Bhagat Singh, we’re proud of you wherever we’re, whoever we’re.Recommend

mc duffy

@Awan:
im so bored of people like u who are deep down just jealous. ur views are not important to us punjabis we will live and be the happiest in our nation, while u the rest keep blamming others for all ur short comings.Recommend

Critical

Leave Non-muslims aside

Dear Pakistani

Will you guys accept Asfaqullah Khan as a hero,because he’s a muslim ,or will u reject him because he fought against British occupation,not for a separate muslim country

Bhagat Singh didn’t fight for any one , he fought for his mother land . And as we say “Janani janmabhumischa swargadapi gariyasi” means “mother and mother land is superior to heaven and its 72 virgins” . I would love to kick away my religion and fight with the god if required for these 2 things .Yes, teachings of islam are different from ours and they openly admit this , so pakistanis can’t be and shouldn’t be blamed . They are following what they have been taught .Recommend

http://Turkey Zalmai

Abdali, Ghaznavi, Ghori, Taymor, Babur have nothing to do with Pakistan because they were not Arabs. They should rename Fawara Chowk after Shaheed Qaddafi or Shaheed Saddam Hussein or the soon to be Shaheed Bashar Assad.

@Student of Peace: Indians have always called him Shaheed Bhagat Singh and will continue to do so. Within Pakistan you may desecrate Ahmadi worship places because you think domes are patented by Islam (which incidentally they are not – e.g. St. Peter’s Cathedral in Russia). But you cannot prevent Indians from appropriately honouring their heroes. Your intimidation tactics can only work within your own country.Recommend

I don’t know why british left.We are very narrow minded people.We should have been chakki peesing and peesing n peesing.Recommend

Raj

That exactly is the problem of Pakistanis. You guys continue try to be more Arabic than the ones in Arabia and demean your own Hindu culture while Arabs get a clear view of how disgusting creatures you are who does not have any self respect for their own but ready to wag their tails in the name of their Arabic masters who mercilessly looted and plundered your land and raped and murdered your women and enslaved your forefathers. The effect of that enslavement is so gruesome that the present day descendants literally hate the culture and religion of their ancestors. No wonder Pakistanis run like headless chickens when somebody says anything Arabic.Recommend

Khan

Bhagat Sing is not just a non-Muslim but also a Hindu. If he were a Christian or Jew (Ahl-e-Kitaab), there could have been some room for acceptance. Not now.Recommend

http://Turkey Zalmai

@Afzaal Khan

Who is Mehmood? If you are referring to Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi, he was not born in Lahore and he did not speak Punjabi. As a matter of fact, he abhorred all things Indian including Muslim Indian rulers and their subjects. At least Bhagat Singh is a true son of the soil even though he was not Muslim. Recommend

gp65

@wonderer: “The Friends of Bhagat Singh Society in India”

Many of your other posts gave me the impression that you were a Pakistani. But tis indicates different? I look forward to reading your posts – regardless of your nationality but am definitely curious to know which it is.Recommend

Rex Minor

Who was this guy Bhagat Singh? Was he a Pakistani citizen? Has the author no other subject to write on except dead heroes.

Let me give her one more about ancient sikhs who we were told recently in a docmentry film were responsible for the destruction of Moghul period Lahore palaces with beautiful paintings on the inside walls, which has now been declared as a world heritage and is being restored.

Why not record the name of Ranjit singh shaheed on the palace, to remind the world audience of what the moghuls did in former India and what the sikhs did when these great people had power.

Our brothers and sisters are being killed by Jews and we are wasting time over irrelevant things! Do something. Save Gazans from annihilation at the hands of Jews!Recommend

wonderer

@wise counsel:

Please note Sir, and remember:

1) I am not sitting in judgment,
2) I value Bhagat Singh’s contributions,
3) I do not “know it all” and I do not “call the shots”.
4) I am not conceited.

I have a point of view, and reasons of my own. I have an opinion on the subject of naming a chowk in Lahore after Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, and I reserve my right to express my opinion. I refuse to be cowed down by ill-mannered people like you.

A hero is a hero. One who struggles and dies for his homeland should be given due respect and honour. This is our tough luck that we recognise non Muslims residing in Pakistan as Pakistanis bustrong text*t deny them due status. Religion should not be involved in such assessment. Muhammed Ali Jinnah, the father of the nation emphasized at many occasions that caste, creed & faith would have nothing to do with the affairs of the state’ but unfortunately, we have turned deaf ear to all his quotes!!!! Relious bigotry, extremism, fanaticism….. and what not have been infused in our blood to such an extent that people from different sects in Islam have lost intolerantce!! I have experienced such misdemeanour at many occasions.Recommend

wonderer

@Absurdist:

I take no dictation, particularly from ill-mannered Absurdists. Remember this.

Nothing becomes “idiotic” or “mantra” just because one idiot lacks the capacity to understand it. Free thinking is still legal and acceptable.

The question should have been ‘Can a Muslim hero be honoured in a non-Muslim country”? The answer would be Yes if the hero is local. Please look to your east. You will find many Muslims who are heroes for Indians – both Muslims who are heroes for Indians – and no t just in the past but even in present day. From Akbar, Amir Khusro and Amir Khusro in the past to Ustad Bismillah Khan, Azim Premji, Abdul Kalam to Pataudi – we have no shortage of Muslim heroes.

Not sure of any Christian countries but in US (where church and state are clearly separate) Mohammed Ali is a hero.Recommend

Avatar Janjua

Pak govt can name that to after any afghan (like their whole missile set), or Persian (the debate might move to shia-sunni thing), mongols (supposedly believed by pak people as Muslims), or Saudis (their original ancestors), or Iraqi Misri uzbeki taziki. Why drag people from Indian Subcontinent Recommend

vexed

Rex,
Bhagat Singh was a 23 year old Punjabi youth who was hanged by the british for shooting a British officer dead. However, a bigger crime he committed was NOT converting to ISLAM before he died. Had he converted, one entire chowk in Lahore would have been named after him! The hitherto unknown Bhagat Singh would have become famous and not been the subject of ridicule from our very concerned muslim brothers from Deutschland.Recommend

Rex Minor

Vexed,

I would not honour any one who kills another human. Though shall not kill is Gods commadment, and any one who defies it earns no honour!!!!

Mr Singh reacted with violence against the occupier and this is human and understanable by humans. But to honour a killer?

@wonderer
I agree.
This whole debate is more disrespecting to Bhagat singh. It would have been better if this proposal was not even tabled.Recommend

Sheikh Riaz

@ss:

Would u pl change ur name from “SS” into anyother. Thanks. We Germans do not like “ss” caus of histry.Recommend

Sheikh Riaz

@Student of Peace:

With due respect to ur thinking. U cannot be “Student of peace” but u r only student of pakistanRecommend

Sheikh Riaz

It is not possible to change the mindset of Pro or of Contra in this discussion. “BAINS KA AAGA BEEN BJANA” ka braber hae. In the develped countries like europe etc. the thinking-values are different as in the countries like Pakistan and Indien. Nowadays the Religion does not matter in these (european) countries but what matter: no cheating; no killing their own countrymen; law and order-situation; speaking without obligation (truth); almost no corruption etc etc.Recommend

Taniya

I am sorry to say, but even the Indians don’t honor Bhagat Singh as much as they should.

If some non-Muslim is to be honored, then why not rename the Fawara Chowk as Cecil Choudary Chowk, who actually is a big time Pakistani-Christian war hero!Recommend

Rex Minor

Let there be a grave for Bhagat Singh with the insciption similar to that what finds on the grave of General Gordan who is buried in Iraq.

It is regretted that a few typographic mistakes have appeared in my comments. Please read …….. “”but deny them due status.”” Also, please read …..”””different sects have lost tolerance.”” Thank you.Recommend

http://xx Pakson,

@curious: Quaid-e-Azam always appointed/sent Sir Zafrullah to present, protect the Muslim League point of views, during moots/meetings with hostile ruling forces against Pakistan Movement And to express his satisfaction/pleasure, the Quaid used to call Ch. Zafrullah as his ‘ political son.’ All praise for the Quaid and his dedicated ‘son of the soil’. colleagues.Recommend

http://xx S.A.Afaqi,

@Vishnu Dutta: No Sir, no. Even Dr. Salam will say’no’ to such history-negating idea. Here I dare recall someone said to him that up to now Jhang town was famous for Heer and her lover, Ranjha. But now the world knows Jhang as the birth place of Nobel prize winner. To this Salam replied in humble style that that there are so many cities/towns known as birth place of Nobel prize winners. But Heer will remain for ever the only single entity/personality to give a unique prominence to Jhang as the birth place town of the only legendary love pair,”Heer&Ranjha”. In view of all this,it is suggested that ‘Fawara Chowk’, be named simply as “Bhagat Singh Chowk”. It will be enough, nothing more, nothing less. And please do not turn our national history into irrational mystery. Recommend

wonderer

@S.A.Afaqi,:

“,,,,,And please do not turn our national history into irrational mystery…”

That task, my dear Sir, was completed a long tome ago. You know that surely.

@Tinker Bell:
by writing such vile and generalized crap about all Hindus you are not only helping make the, pakistani hindu, author’s point, but also reminding the world that the average pakistani is little more than a narrow minded bigot.
additionally, your comment also displayed your appallingly shallow grasp of history – for e.g., had you taken the time to read bhagat singh’s essays, you would have known that he was an avowed atheist, not a sikh, albeit he was born into a sikh family.

had you taken a moment to read up on the great man, you purport to comment, you would have known that he firmly rejected the notion of forming a state, or even a society, based on religion; indeed, he would not only have rejected pakistan, but also india’s political system because his atheism was firmly rooted in the belief in the communist ideology.

long story short, i believe you owe the author of the blog post, a fellow pakistani of hindu faith, a heartfelt apology, don’t you think?Recommend

Human

@Hairaan:
The all Pakistani Muslims from all over the world should be brought back to Pakistan , all non muslims sent to another country they feel they came from & let this Pakistan be only for the Muslims , for they Muslims & by the muslims , why should we share our country with non muslims , send back all hindus tooo & all abraid come back here .

Simple then there will no more fights on hero’s and religion & festivals
Live among your own
I wonder then how can we call ourselves a good Human being since we cannot share & live among others & give them respect tooRecommend

Naming now only to be defaced later won’t be cheerful. Better you name this after any Islamist or taliban. It just doesn’t matter to us. Recommend

yasir iqbal

First we should decide that “Pakistanis are Muslims”?????????Recommend

http://- Abid P Khan

@gp65:
.“The question should have been ‘Can a Muslim hero be honoured in a non-Muslim country”?
.
By chance I discovered a marble bust of Firdausi in a the park North East of Piazza del Popolo, Rome.
.
Much earlier I had seen some busts of Muslim historical personalities in a line of many others, located in University of Vienna. Can’t recall their names, it was q Recommend

http://- Abid P Khan

@Abid P Khan:
Sorry the previous message got truncated.
.
The last paragraph should read:
.Much earlier I had seen some busts of Muslim historical personalities in a line of many others, located in University of Vienna. Can’t recall their names, it was quite a while ago.Recommend

Hamid Jalal

@Vishnu Dutta: Many thanks and agreed Madam for the mention, to the extent that he had actually been persecuted by Pakistani Government/dictators for being an Ahmadi. But except for a little hateful sneering minority of mullahs and Government functionaries, who are bent upon derailing our dear homeland, the general and educated Pakistanis consider Dr. Salaam as a Muslim brother in letter and spirit. Also consider Ch. Zafrullah Khan sb the only Pakistani to hold national as well as international offices i.e. Foreign Minister of Pakistan > General Secretary of the United National General Assembly > Chief Justice of the International Court of Justice, Hague. Had we included these gentlemen and the ones mentioned above in our list of icons, Pakistan would have been a totally different country.Recommend

Shark Bait

Well very well written good job. This nation might learn after the “WRATH” of GOD….??Recommend

Englishman

Do you not consider him a terrorist ? and was rightly hanged for it for it. On Singh’s execution, Gandhi said, “The government certainly had the right to hang these men.”
The other non-Muslims you have named are in different league for they did not perpetrated violence. Recommend